New Current Account

[Dodsy]

I need a new current account as Natwest seem to have decided that I am a bit risky (I'm not!) so keep blocking my card for no reason and I'm sick of it.

Looking through a thread on here about the best online bank I've narrowed it down to:

Nationwide
Barclays
First Direct

I'm going to do some research to decide which current account offering suits me best, but has anyone transferred a current account before ? How easy is it (and did you transfer to one of the above!). The only reason I've not moved before now is the hassle of direct debits, payments and online services that all link back to my Natwest account but I hear that its actually quite simple now ?

[ringram]

Ive done it many times before. Its pretty good, but usually a direct debt or two will go amiss, but its the banks responsibility so any issues/fines/fees should be paid by them.

Id go with HSBC personally.

Go for it, if more people moved accounts when they got bad service, bad service would stop..

[scottri]

I moved from HSBC to First Direct. All straight forward and by far the best bank I've been a customer of.

[Ungarsee]

It's not an exact science but much better than it was. As has been said some direct debits may go tits up as the electronic message can get skewed between bank and company you're paying and the company think you've cancelled the direct debit. If you don't have too many it can be quicker just to spend 20 mins calling the companies and giving them your new bank details and telling them when to start taking payments .

[ringram]

First Direct is HSBC, its their internet bank..

[ringram]

As far as the FSA is concerned its one bank.
But I take your point, the accounts are managed separately.

[Dodsy]

Just had a written reply from Natwest. They have rejected my complaint and told me that their fraud systems are there to protect me. They reviewed my account and confirmed it had been blocked 4 times and that they couldnt see any reason for the blocks based on the transactions. But the computer couldnt possibly be wrong and I should be grateful they are protecting me.

they went on to say that it only takes a phone call to unblock the card.

This will be the call that takes about 10 minutes to complete when you finally get through to the right person. All while stood at the checkout in Tesco. Brilliant.

They did give me £40 compensation even though they rejected the complaint.

Decision made, if they block it again its going to be a transfer to first direct.

[Sir Bagalot]

Perhaps google "Credit Score check" and use one of the many free services for 30 days to check your actual score.

First Direct. If you use the transfer service they will even give you £100 if you meet their T&C's.

Plus when you call them you don't have to push any buttons to get through..... Instead you speak to a real human, usually within 10 seconds as well

[evoivboy]

Dodsy said:

Just had a written reply from Natwest. They have rejected my complaint and told me that their fraud systems are there to protect me. They reviewed my account and confirmed it had been blocked 4 times and that they couldnt see any reason for the blocks based on the transactions. But the computer couldnt possibly be wrong and I should be grateful they are protecting me.

they went on to say that it only takes a phone call to unblock the card.

This will be the call that takes about 10 minutes to complete when you finally get through to the right person. All while stood at the checkout in Tesco. Brilliant.

They did give me £40 compensation even though they rejected the complaint.

Decision made, if they block it again its going to be a transfer to first direct.

if you go to a halifax premier account and bank £1000 plus per month and pay a £10 per month fee you get

annual world wide travel insurance for the whole family
24 hour breakdown for you and any joint holder for any car you are in
phone cover for damage, faulty or stolen mobile phone for you and anyone else on the account
home emergency insurance(need to check for details, cant remember)

i think very good value

[Dodsy]

Sir Bagalot said:

Perhaps google "Credit Score check" and use one of the many free services for 30 days to check your actual score.

Its not my credit score thats the problem, just that every time I pay my credit card they block my account. Even though the account is massively in credit. And every time I have spoken to them they tell me that paying my credit card is an unusual transaction and therefore blocks the account. Every month when I make the payment. Which I have to give my card number, security code and pass their online security checks to make in the first place.

One time they even told me that the problem is that I was using my debit card too much and that I should buy more stuff with my credit card then it wouldnt flag up as fraud. Until I tried to pay off my credit card....oh.... fail!